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Wander Franco Arrested in Armed Altercation in Dominican Republic
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was taken into custody following an armed incident in a parking lot situated in the Dominican Republic’s countryside, according to police reports released on Monday.
Meregirdo Espinosa, a spokesperson for the Dominican police, informed The Associated Press that the altercation occurred in San Juan de la Maguana, a city located approximately 116 miles (187 kilometers) west of Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. Franco’s arrest took place on Sunday, along with two other individuals—a man and a woman—who were also apprehended at the scene.
While Espinosa refrained from disclosing specifics regarding those involved, he did indicate that several participants in the confrontation were armed.
Franco, who is currently 23 years old, is facing serious legal challenges, including a scheduled trial on December 12 in Puerto Plata concerning allegations of sexual abuse involving a minor. This case involves a 14-year-old girl, and Franco has also been charged with related offenses such as sexual and commercial exploitation of a minor, as well as human trafficking.
After his initial arrest regarding the abuse allegations, Franco was provisionally released on January 5, just four days later. Since then, he has refrained from addressing the media but has expressed a sentiment regarding the ongoing legal matters, stating, “Everything is in God’s hands.”
Franco’s promising career in Major League Baseball was significantly impacted when he was placed on the restricted list on July 10, 2023, effectively terminating the salary he was previously accruing during a period of administrative leave. Just prior to these developments, he had signed a substantial 11-year, $182 million contract with the Rays in November 2021, underscoring his value to the team and the league.
As the situation unfolds, the implications for Franco’s future—both legally and in professional baseball—remain uncertain, given the high stakes surrounding his ongoing trial and recent arrest.
Source
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